Is It REALLY August Already?

I'm not sure how it happened, but the summer is gone.  I've been back at work for three weeks, registration day is next week, and classes start a week after that.  I'm also not sure why I am surprised that the time has flown.  It always does.  What is different is that I used to get more time in the studio and would get to a number of projects at home in my time away from work.  No so this summer.

I've sort of been struggling with ideas and motivation lately.  I realize that this is due, at least in part, to the fact that I am spending a lot more time exercising that I used to.  Since I decided to register for two more triathlons and a half marathon over the next three months, training for those races is taking up more of my time and energy.  There's not as much "free" time to get to the studio and sometimes when I get there, I'm too tired to do anything.  Sad, but true.

All that being said, I have been working since last spring to build some inventory for the fall shows.  On days when I have no other ideas, I'll make a set of mugs.  I've also tried to stock up on the napkin holders that sold well last fall. I've got several, but could probably use some more.  Lately, I've been working on making chip and dip sets.  Those take a lot of time, so the going is slow.  This realization also is causing me to re-think how I price those pieces.

We are also all doing some experimenting with new glazes...or maybe I should say new combinations of old glazes.  The mug in the picture is an example.  I don't think the colors came through very well--the dark glaze is sort of red/brown.  What I like the most is where the glazes overlap.  This makes a very smooth surface look more interesting.  The trick will be to see if I can do this again.